Are you experiencing issues with your MacBook Air? Do you want to start fresh and give it a clean slate? Factory resetting your MacBook Air can help resolve various problems, such as sluggish performance, software malfunctions, and startup errors. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to restart a MacBook Air and start anew.
Before we proceed, it’s essential to note that factory resetting a MacBook Air will delete all data, settings, and installed applications. Thus, it’s crucial to back up your data using Time Machine or iCloud to avoid losing important files. Once you’ve backed up your data, you can proceed with the following steps:
1. Log out of your iCloud account. Go to the System Preferences > iCloud > uncheck iCloud Drive > click on “Remove from Mac.” If your iCloud drive is not updated, click on “Stop Updating” and turn it off.
2. Sign out of all accounts. Click on the Apple logo on the top left corner of your screen > Restart > press and hold Command + R keys simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
3. Select Disk Utility. After two minutes, a screen will pop up > select Disk Utility.
4. Show all devices. Click on the option > go to the bottom > click on “Show all devices” > select the main SSD and delete the desk right below it > choose “Erase” > select “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” as the format > choose “Erase” to delete all information from your MacBook Air SSD.
5. Reinstall Mac OS. Exit out of Disk Utility > click on “Reinstall Mac OS” > choose “Continue” twice > agree > select your SSD and install. The installation process may take 20 to 30 minutes.
6. Welcome screen. After installing, you’ll be brought to the welcome screen, and you can start your factory reset MacBook Air.
In summary, restarting a MacBook Air to factory settings is a straightforward process that involves logging out of accounts, selecting Disk Utility, deleting the desk, erasing the SSD, and reinstalling Mac OS. While it may seem daunting, it’s an effective solution to resolve various issues and give your MacBook Air a fresh start.